Sustaining Ecosystems Flashcards
Droplet leaf adaptations
Waxy layer provides strength for the leaf against harsh rain. Droplet on end of leaf funnels water off.
Polar bear adaptations
White fur allows the bear to blend in to its environment, which is protection against predators. The fur also provides warmth against extreme cold conditions. Insulating fat.
Adaptations of baobab tree?
Large base stores water for very hot temperatures and fire resistant bark against extreme climates.
Where are tropical rainforests mostly located ?
They are mainly focused along the equator.
Summarise the climate of polar regions in three bullet points ?
Dry.
Low precipitation.
Extremely cold.
Name the 4 layers of the tropical rainforest from top to bottom ?
Top—> Emergent layer
Canopy layer
Under canopy layer
Bottom—> Forest floor
Explain the nutrient cycle ?
Leaves fall from the trees and land on the warm, damp forest floor. The nutrients are extracted from the leaves in a quick process, which allows for quality trees. These trees then deposit leaves on the floor and the cycle continues.
Explain Camels (which live in hot deserts ) adaptations ?
They store fat in their humps for energy usage
Long eyelashes protect their eyes against sands
Explain Black bears (which live in deciduous forests ) adaptations ?
Long claws to climb trees
Thick fur and fat for usage during hibernation
Give an example of a tropical rainforest and say which country it’s in?
The Amazon rainforest, in Brazil.
What are the temperatures usually at in a tropical rainforest, and do they vary by large amounts ?
Average temperatures of 26oC-28oC, varying by only a few degrees.
What is the climate like in tropical rainforests, and why is it like this?
Hot, humid and wet because rainforests are near to the equator , the closest place to the Sun on Earth.
Are rainforests high or low in nutrients, why ?
High, because of the efficient nutrient providing nutrient cycle
Give two examples of animals that live in the rainforest ?
Poison dart frog
Monkey
Give two examples of plants that live in the rainforest ?
Lianas, emergent trees and orchids
Explain Poison dart Frogs (which live in the tropical rainforest ) adaptations ?
Vibrant, unique colours to scare off predators
Feet help the frog to move
Explain Cacti’s (which live in the desert) adaptations ?
Preserves water
Spikes defends against predators
What is a biome ?
A large scale ecosystem
What is an ecosystem ?
A system in which organisms interact with each other and with their environment
What is abiotic (a component of the ecosystem) and give 4 examples.
Non-living, such as air,water,heat, and rock.
What is biotic (a component of the ecosystem) and give 3 examples.
Living, such as plants, insects and animals.
What is flora
Plant life
What is fauna
Animal life
What are the four layers of the Rainforest soil profile from top to bottom?
Top –> Leaf litter
Top soil
Sub soil
Bottom –> Rock
What part of the nutrient cycle allows for rapid decomposition?
The hot,damp forest floor.
Adaptations of liana plants in the tropical rainforest?
Climbs trees to reach sunlight at the canopy layer.
Is the North Pole Antarctica/Arctic?
Arctic
Is the South Pole Antarctica/Arctic?
Antarctica
Name 4 effects of human activity in polar regions
Whaling
Tourism
Fishing
Gas and oil exploration
Land and sea features of Antartica?
Large and thick ice sheet.
Land and sea features of Arctic?
The Arctic is almost entirely covered by water, much of it frozen.
Plants in polar environments ?
Very few plants -lichen and mosses can survive. Plants go slowly and not very tall due to the climate.
